our history

Fairmont Hot Springs – Canada’s Largest and Finest Timeshare Resort

The recorded history of Fairmont Hot Springs begins in the early 1800’s, when explorers discovered the ‘land of smoking waters’, where the warm springs were soothing, and where there was a lack of sulphur and its distinctive smell (common to many hot springs).

The first homesteader in the Fairmont Hot Springs area was George Geary, an Englishman, who came to the area in 1887 and homesteaded a vast tract of land that included the hot springs. In 1888 he turned his holdings over to Sam Brewer, who came to Canada from the United States. Geary’s home still stands at the south end of the Mountainside Golf Course.

Sam Brewer operated a stopping place for stage coaches running through the valley. His house still stands at the entrance to the Resort, and today is the family home of one of Lloyd Wilder’s sons.
The name Fairmont Hot Springs was given to the area by Mrs. John Galbraith, wife of a ferry operator, at Galbraith’s Landing near Fort Steele. Fort Steele, north of Cranbrook, was once a North West Mounted Police fort. It has now been reconstructed and restored, and is well worth visiting.

In the early 1900’s, W. Heap Holland, a manufacturer from Manchester, England, came to the area. Intrigued by the flowing hot waters, he purchased the property from Sam Brewer and operated it as a ranch and resort. Upon his death, his son took over as absentee owner with a manager in residence.
In 1957, brothers Earl and Lloyd Wilder, moved from Saskatchewan, and purchased the Fairmont Hot Springs property with a group of investors.

In 1965, Lloyd purchased Earl’s share to become the sole owner. He immediately began major expansion which resulted in the transformation of the area into the internationally recognized destination resort you see today. This transformation has taken over 40 years, and has been achieved with the loyalty and dedication of a very committed group of employees.

More than 800 home sites have been developed at Fairmont to meet the demand for retirement and vacation homes, and more recently, for full-time residential homes as families seek the peace, safety and quality of life that Fairmont offers. Future development will be done with an on-going commitment to preserve the natural beauty and unique environment of the area.

Click on the link below to read a ‘circa 1980″ publishing we have found